Good morning, Mets fans!

Evan Drellich of The Athletic reports that there’s a chance MLB changes its new rules before Opening Day. Member of the league’s competition committee and while it’s unknown what the specific changes could be, they likely won’t be major. Spring training games are taking only two hours and 36 minutes this year, but players have expressed concerns about the pitch clock being too constricting.

WBC Scores

Japan 6, Mexico 5

Latest Mets News

Eduardo Escobar and Francisco Lindor both returned to the Mets’ lineup on Monday, but Justin Verlander walked six batters in 4 2/3 innings in a 3-2 loss. Four of Verlander’s walks came in the fifth inning, but he said after the game he thinks he’ll be ready to go for the regular season.

It was revealed Monday that David Wright will be a new legend added to MLB: The Show 23. This is the first time Wright will be in a game since his retirement in 2018.

Reds general manager Nick Krall says the Mets have not inquired about the availability of Alexis Díaz yet. The younger brother of Edwin Díaz has been viewed as a potential trade target for the Mets, but he’ll likely carry a hefty price tag considering his five years of club control.

Latest MLB News

White Sox infielder Yoán Moncada was diagnosed with a concussion after a collision during Cuba’s World Baseball Classic semifinal game on Sunday. Cuba baseball officials say Moncada should be fine in time for the season.

The Phillies released right-hander Mark Appel on Monday. The former first-overall pick from the 2013 Draft finally made the majors in 2022, tossing 10 1/3 innings out of the Phillies’ bullpen. Appel put out a statement on his Twitter account thanking the Phillies’ organization.

Philly, thank you. For everything.

In 2015, you believed in me and traded for me, even as I struggled with performance and injuries.

In 2018, you graciously supported me as I dealt with my struggles off the field.

(more below)

— Mark Appel (@markappel26) March 20, 2023

The Braves optioned both Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake to Triple-A Gwinnett, meaning Orlando Arcia will begin the year as the team’s starting shortstop. Ehire Adrianza is expected to break camp as the team’s utility infielder.

Latest on MMO

Nate Mendelson evaluates how the Mets’ offseason acquisitions have fared this spring.

Gianna Arantes recaps the Mets’ loss to the Nationals on Monday.

On This Date in Mets History

2011: The Mets release southpaw Oliver Pérez from the last year of the three-year contract he signed before the 2009 season. Pérez is still owed $12 million for this season, but he had an ugly 6.81 ERA with more walks (100) than strikeouts (99) in 112 1/3 innings for the last two seasons combined.

2013: The Mets name David Wright the fourth team captain in franchise history. He becomes the first player since John Franco to bear that honor.

Birthdays: Shawon Dunston (60), Carlos Carrasco (36), Bobby Wahl (31)

The post Morning Briefing: MLB Could Change New Rules Before Regular Season appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Buck Showalter talked to reporters on Monday before the Mets took on the St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter with David Peterson on the mound. Here are the important notes from the Mets’ second-year manager:

Escobar in The Outfield?

Showalter said that third baseman Eduardo Escobar could play in a game on Tuesday in left field, though he’s not sure if it will be a Grapefruit League game or on the backfields in Port St. Lucie. The Mets say they’re putting Escobar in left field because Team Venezuela said they might use the veteran infielder out there during the World Baseball Classic.

Escobar has 43 games of experience in left field with the most recent time being in 2017 for the Twins.

Mets’ third base prospect Brett Baty is off to a strong in camp after two hits in the intrasquad game last week and then a home run on the first pitch he saw in a spring training game.

Verlander Making Debut

Mets co-ace Justin Verlander will make his debut on Saturday when the team travels to Jupiter to play the Marlins. The game starts at 1:10 p.m. and can be seen on MLB TV. Max Scherzer will start the game on Friday, giving Mets fans their first chance to see the future Hall of Famers pitch back-to-back.

Verlander says he plans to use his changeup more this season after the pitch had been kind of hidden in his repertoire in recent seasons. The veteran threw the pitch only 2.4% of the time in 2022 and hasn’t thrown it more than 10% since 2014 when he was with the Tigers.

Scherzer Embracing Rules, Technology 

Max Scherzer held out from using PitchCom until late July of the 2022 season and after the game said the technology that sends the pitch call and location from the catcher to the pitcher should be “illegal.”

Now, in his first start this spring, Scherzer was seen with PitchCom on his glove so he could send the pitch call to the catcher. Scherzer told reporters that he would use the device to call pitches at certain times when he had a pitch he knew fit into the gameplan and that the catcher will still continue to make a majority of the calls.

As you can see from the picture, Max Scherzer was wearing a PitchCom device on his glove Sunday. This allows Scherzer to call the pitch in situations when he knows what he wants to throw. pic.twitter.com/cn36LDzKmY

— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) February 27, 2023

Scherzer told The Athletic that the new pitch clock rule would be something he would actually use to his advantage to control the pace of the at-bat. “I can’t pitch until ‘8’ (seconds left), but as soon as his eyes are up, I can go,” Scherzer said.“I already had the pitch call and we already know it, so I can come set. Now, I can’t fire until his eyes are up on me. But if his eyes are up on me with 12 seconds left, I can fire. So, just another play I can use.”

The post Spring Notes: Escobar Could Play LF, Verlander to Start Saturday appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The Baseball Gods must like me after all. I was taking a tour of the bowels of Citi Field, me and a couple of other writers and fans. including Manny S. of Twitter fame and my friend, Benjamin Hey. The three of us wandered off after spending too much time at an empty batting cage, hearing the season ticket pitch one too many times.

There was an unmarked door at the end of the hallway and the door was slightly ajar. Manny looked at me, and I nodded. Ben led the way to the mysterious door. Here’s where the real story must be.

It was the room with the humidor. Or to be more accurate, the room that is the humidor. There were 256 boxes of baseballs on shelves on both sides of the room. It’s a good thing we found the door open, because there’s big sign that says “Keep Door Closed at all Times.” Was this carelessness or scandal?

“Hey, shut the door, will you?”

“Who said that?” I asked my friends.

“It’s the baseball.”

“Wait, what? First of all, there are at least 3,000 baseballs in here. And secondly, baseballs can’t talk,” I said to one of the walls of balls.

“Well, we can talk, and when we feel like it, we do talk. We usually don’t, but that is neither here nor there.”

“Okay, so assume we believe that’s true, are you one baseball or all the baseballs in here?” Manny asked.

“I am one baseball talking to you, but each of us has what you would call a collective unconscious, or maybe a collective conscious, from all the baseballs that have ever existed. We are even distantly related to all other spheres, such as globes and even planets. We have heard some wild stories, let me tell you.”

“Why are you talking to us?” Ben asked.

“Because someone needs to get our opinion on baseball, and Jude is just crazy enough to write about us.”

“Gee, thanks, but I am honored to get this rare opportunity,” I said.

“So, do you have any questions?” the baseball asked us.

Ben: What did you think of the home run chase between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa?

Baseball: Ouch! That era was especially painful for us, but fun, too. We tried to go as far as we could for those two, to make history.

Manny: Was Babe Ruth really the “Sultan of Swat” or just an “Emir of Swat?”

Baseball: He was, indeed, The “Sultan of Swat.” No doubt about it. And he not only called that shot, but he told the ball what he was going to do. We will always remember that.

Manny: Which player did you enjoy hitting you the most and which pitcher did you enjoy pitching you the most?

Baseball: The hitter had to be Josh Gibson. We dig the long ball as much as anyone. That man had some clout. And he always talked to us when he was catching, to make sure we behaved. Pitchers, it’s a tie between Tom Seaver and Satchel Paige. Although Christy Mathewson was fun, too. His Fadeaway pitch make us dizzy. And he was very polite to us, no matter what the score was.

Manny: How much different do you perceive the game of baseball today compared to 50 years ago?

Baseball: 1973 was a great time. Even we got excited when Tug McGraw yelled “Ya Gotta Believe!” The biggest difference is how incredibly talented today’s pitchers are. Velocity and movement is so much better. Command, not so much. Nobody, including us, knows where we’re headed when the pitcher lets go of us. One thing I don’t like is the decrease in African-American players. The game has been a little more sterile, although the Latin players are spicing it up more. We baseballs are in the Let the Kids Play camp. Much more fun for us.

Jude: How do you like the humidors?

Baseball: A little cold. Sometimes we freeze our you-know-whats off. And when we get bored, we pretend to be cigars.

Jude: How do you do that?

Baseball: Ah, I can’t say. It’s a trade secret from Cuba.

Jude: Do you know the Baseball Gods?

Baseball: Of course. They sometimes tell us what to do.

Jude: They do?

Baseball: Of course. That’s how baseball works. Sorry, but I can’t say anymore. We are sworn to secrecy. There’s a sacred tradition to uphold.

Jude: How do you feel when an announcer says, “She is gone!”

Baseball: Embarrassed for that announcer. We are not female. We are not male. We are baseballs. And don’t get me started on Mr. and Mrs. Met! Is this the 1950s?

Manny: Are you and Rob Manfred good friends or just polite acquaintances?

Baseball: Let’s just say it’s a good thing I haven’t talked to anyone except you and Mark Fidrych.

Manny: Have you truly changed your wardrobe over the years, making you less likely to leave ballparks in some years and more likely to leave ballparks in other years, like 2019?

Baseball: Wardrobe, innards: we have been tinkered with, poked, prodded, stuffed, and compressed at least since the beginning of baseball, and even before that, in the game of Townball and Base Ball in England, two of the many antecedents of the “American” game of baseball. Lately, it has just been more scientific. Instead of mature Costa Rican ladies, like my friend, Rita, most of the deep work is done by robots, who really don’t give a rat’s buttocks about baseball. Just to meet their quota. I can tell you for sure that in 2019, there was some serious manipulation going on, in a cloak of secrecy. We check in on the new balls pretty regularly, and they are as confused as anyone.

Jude: What do think of the new pitch clock in MLB?

Baseball: Fine with us. We like to move around, not sit in a sweaty hand. We love the action. My personal favorite thing is a 4-6-3 double play. Remember: A resting ball gathers no outs.

Jude: Speaking of pitchers’ hands, how do you feel about the crackdown on sticky stuff?

Baseball: OMG! I’m so glad you asked that. I was thinking of bringing it up myself. That Spider Tack stuff scared the cork out of us. Every pitch felt like it could be our last. I swear, one time, my life flashed before my eyes. Part of my outsides actually tore off. The catcher quickly tossed me into his dugout before the umpire could inspect it. We kept hoping some pitcher would try to release the ball and it wouldn’t leave his hand. Talk about getting caught red-handed!

Just then, the Mets ticket salesperson opened the door and said, “What are you three doing in here?”

“Oh, just looking around,” Ben said.

“Please come with me,” the salesperson said gruffly.

So that’s how our interview ended. Maybe I am just the one to write this. Thanks for Manny for the questions and Ben for the title.

The post If These Balls Could Talk appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Major League Baseball is likely to expand in the near future, once the stadium situations in Tampa Bay and Oakland are sorted out and decisions are made on whether or not those franchises will relocate. The expectation is that two teams will be added, bringing the number to 32. Will MLB couple this expansion with a radical realignment of divisions? In an article in The Athletic, Jim Bowden thinks that would be a good idea.

Let’s get right to Bowden’s point of view. He proposes two conferences, each with four divisions. The eastern conference would look like this:

East Division

Boston Red Sox
New York Mets
New York Yankees
Philadelphia Phillies

North Division

Cincinnati Reds
Cleveland Guardians
Detroit Tigers
Toronto Blue Jays

Mid-Atlantic Division

Baltimore Orioles
Charlotte expansion team
Pittsburgh Pirates
Washington Nationals

Southeast Division

Atlanta Braves
Miami Marlins
Nashville expansion team
Tampa Bay Rays

The western conference would be structured in this manner:

Midwest Division

Chicago Cubs
Chicago White Sox
Milwaukee Brewers
Minnesota Twins

Southwest Division

Houston Astros
Kansas City Royals
St. Louis Cardinals
Texas Rangers

Pacific Coast Division

Colorado Rockies
Oakland/Las Vegas A’s
Seattle Mariners
San Francisco Giants

West Division

Arizona Diamondbacks
Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego Padres

If baseball were to go in this direction, it would be adopting the NHL/NBA model of alignment based on geography. There are obvious benefits to this, including creating or expanding upon geographic rivalries, minimizing travel, and having more games in a team’s time zone which could increase television viewership.

Bowden makes an interesting point about payroll disparity. Using geographic alignment would place larger-market teams in the same division, which would create more games for teams against other teams who face the same economic realities. Look at the eastern conference, eastern division proposal. The Mets and Yankees would play their largest percentage of games against each other, as well as the Phillies (fourth largest market) and the Red Sox (tenth largest market). In the western conference, west division, the Dodgers and Angels are in the second largest market, and would compete with the Padres (27th largest market) and the Diamondbacks (11th largest).

In the eastern conference mid-Atlantic division, the Orioles (28th), Charlotte expansion team (if there is one-22nd), Pirates (26th), and Nationals (9th) would battle it out. Bowden’s idea is a good one, in that this type of alignment may diffuse some of the constant chatter about fairness in baseball (where there is no salary cap) based on market size. Of course, Mets’ owner Steve Cohen has different ideas about fairness and who may be to blame for how much teams spend on players.

Bowden proposes keeping six teams per conference in the postseason, four division winners and two wildcards. There are some points in his plan that make sense for the game, including more games local to each team’s home city, which would allow fans to travel more easily to see their teams play in rivals’ facilities.

It would be interesting to see if the geographic rivalries lost some luster over time. The subway series seemed to peak after a few years, then decline to a point where the games did not sell out. Now that both the Mets and Yankees are highly competitive, the excitement is back. But how long would there be a stir for a Mets/Red Sox rivalry? Would playing 15-18 games against each other every year take some of the bloom off the rose?

The other question to ask is if MLB is ready for this type of radical change. It took 50 years for the designated hitter to be used in both leagues. Baseball embraces its tradition more than any other sport. Yes, there have been some significant changes, with interleague play probably as the biggest. But entirely doing away with the American and National leagues? Maybe not, unless, of course, there is a significant financial upside. The numbers will be crunched, if they have not been already.

Thanks for trying, Jim Bowden. I see your point. I’ll cast my vote against this type of realignment. Pitch clocks, larger bases, and restrictions on shifts? I can get on board. Maybe it’s a bit of traditionalism coming out, but this one just isn’t resonating.

The post MLB Expansion Could Lead to New Divisional Alignment appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Tommy Pham

The New York Mets mean business this off-season as they continue to make moves to ensure they are in a good position for a deep run into the postseason. Owner Steve Cohen has been laser focused and is keen to build on the efforts of the 2022 season when they were able to reach the Wild Card Round of the MLB Playoffs. The Mets were unable to progress from here, though, as they were beaten by the San Diego Padres 2-1 in the NL Wild Card Series Game.

As MMO was first to report early last week, veteran outfielder Tommy Pham agreed to a one-year deal with the Mets.

Pham  is an experienced outfielder who has managed to play for a variety of different organizations throughout his major league career. The move to the Mets marks the sixth team of his MLB career. He started at the St. Louis Cardinals (2014–2018), before moving on to the Tampa Bay Rays (2018–2019), the San Diego Padres (2020–2021), the Cincinnati Reds (2022), and the Boston Red Sox (2022).

Tommy Pham. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

According to details of the deal, it is understood the 34-year-old has signed a one-year contract in the Big Apple, with it said to be worth $6 million. However, the outfielder does have the ability to earn more through performance-related bonuses. Depending on the number of plate appearances he makes, he could make another $2 million in addition to his base salary.

Pham has a chance to gain an additional $200,000 for every 25 plate appearance he makes this season, starting from 225 and ending at 450. To kick off his new contract with the team, he was granted a whopping $1 million signing bonus plus an annual salary of $5 million!

Pham Could Be An Exceptional Signing

Many have suggested that Pham’s arrival could be good for the Mets, with the outfielder a smart batter, and perhaps welcomed depth as he could be a right-handed option at the designated hitter spot, complementing Daniel Vogelbach.

He had a productive season with Cincinnati and Boston. His batting average was .236 – 17 home runs, 63 RBIs and an OPS of .686 in 144 games were impressive results from his performance. Even more noteworthy is he scored 89 runs throughout the entire season!

With nine major league seasons under his belt and playing for the Cardinals, Rays, Padres, Reds and Red Sox throughout his career thus far, Pham has amassed an impressive .259 batting average with 114 home runs to add to 97 stolen bases and a remarkable .787 OPS.

Mets Are Working Hard To Be Competitive In 2023

As already revealed, the Mets have been extremely busy during the off-season in order to be as competitive as last year’s campaign. The team managed to accomplish a number of feats that they had not managed to achieve in a while.

They secured just their 10th-ever playoff berth, and achieved their fourth 100-plus win campaign, with the 101–61 record last season being their second-best ever. Nonetheless, despite having led the National League East for most of the season with a 10+1⁄2 game lead at one point, the Mets experienced an underwhelming September. This ultimately cost them an automatic playoff berth.

To try and combat this, Steve Cohen has gone all-in and invested an enormous $498.2 million in 10 major league free agents – even investing a whopping $102 million over five years to secure the signature of All-Star closer Edwin Díaz before other teams had the chance!

Fans in New York will have been pleased to have seen plenty of movement this offseason, especially with sports betting having been made legal over the last 12 months. Those who used the available New York Betting Apps last season will have enjoyed a top experience, and many will now feel the team could be in a better position to challenge once again. Even sportsbooks are suggesting that there could be real success at Citi Field in the future, even with the Mets among the favorites for the World Series.

Of course, those that are interested in potentially wagering on the team in the upcoming campaign will want to know whether their team has what it takes. This will be down to how well the new signings gel and fit in.

Will The New York Mets Have A Successful 2023 MLB Campaign?

Given that the bookmakers have touted the Mets among the forerunners for the MLB World Series, it is not a surprise that many believe 2023 could be an exceptional season for the team.

The organization successfully held onto talent like Edwin Diaz and Brandon Nimmo, while signing Justin Verlander – the recipient of the prestigious Cy Young Award. Additionally, they added Japanese marvel Kodai Senga to their ranks as well as experienced southpaw Jose Quintana among numerous other influential decisions.

Of course, these moves can play a very big part in whether the Citi Field will be the home of the World Champions at the end of the campaign. However, there are a few things that also need to be considered, too.

For instance, the health of individuals such as Verlander and Max Scherzer could be vital to the team’s chances. The former is a sure-fire Hall of Famer, as is the latter. However, with both 40 and 39 respectively, there will be questions about their health and whether they can be fit for a full season. Both have missed significant time in recent years, so there could be some risk regarding the pairing.

Additionally, another concern may be in regard to the offense, with the department looking arguably weak in regard to depth. There is no doubt that they have talented individuals, however the longer the season goes on and if injuries hit, there will be concerns regarding scoring. In contrast, many believe the same of the bullpen, too.

2023 Could Be Exciting For New York Mets’ Fans

As of this moment, 2023 looks as though it could be a rather exciting watch for those at the Citi Field watching the New York Mets. However, there are still questions that need to be answered and uncertainties that need to be put to bed in order for the team to truly challenge for the World Series. But, with a roster of talented players, it is not impossible. This year could well be an exciting one in Queens!

The post Tommy Pham Could Be An Exceptional Addition For Mets appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

With pitchers and catchers set to report to spring training in just a few weeks, the hype machine for the 2023 MLB season is well underway. The New York Mets will enter the season with plenty of enthusiasm, one year removed from a 101-win season and after an offseason that saw the team make several impactful signings.

The Mets are also one of the oldest teams in the league, with well-established veteran players at nearly every position on the field. There are a few rookies who figure to make an impact, namely Francisco Álvarez, Brett Baty, and Mark Vientos, but the path to playing time for other young players is not as clear.

Still, there are a few names for fans to look out for as prospects who could potentially crack the major league roster at some point during the 2023 season. From spot starters to bullpen depth to bench bats, these prospects may be one injury to an established veteran player away from getting their chance to contribute to the Mets’ championship aspirations.

José Butto

This list begins with perhaps the most pro-ready starting pitcher prospect in the Mets organization. José Butto had a cup of coffee with the Mets in 2022, making a spot start in late August and surrendering seven runs on nine hits in four innings against the Philadelphia Phillies. His overall numbers in the minors looked far better, posting a 3.56 ERA in 28 appearances (25 starts) and racking up 138 strikeouts in 129 innings.

Butto has made his name by throwing a lot of strikes and limiting walks, although he has never really posted high strikeout totals. His best pitch is a slow changeup, and his pitch mix also includes a fastball that sits in the low to mid-90s and a curveball that he throws sparingly.

The Mets’ starting rotation is pretty locked in as of now, with David Peterson, Tylor Megill, and Joey Lucchesi providing depth, but injuries are bound to happen and Butto will be waiting in the wings in case a rotation spot needs filling. Entering his age-25 season, he will serve as the de facto ace of the Syracuse Mets’ rotation until his number is called for a major league roster spot, however temporary that spot might be.

Bryce Montes de Oca

Another player who got his first shot at major league action in 2022, Bryce Montes de Oca is an electric bullpen arm who has made waves during his brief time in the Mets organization. Montes de Oca was drafted by the Mets in the ninth round of the 2018 draft, but he did not make his professional debut until 2021 due to rehabbing Tommy John surgery and the canceled 2020 season.

Since then, he has posted impressively high strikeout numbers and ultimately made three late-season appearances for the Mets last season, giving up four runs on seven hits across 3 1/3 innings. During the minor league season with Binghamton and Syracuse, he posted a 3.86 ERA across 44 appearances with a whopping 80 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings.

Montes de Oca can run his fastball up to 102 mph, and he occasionally mixes in a hard sinker and a hard slider. While the strikeout numbers are gaudy, he also issues a lot of free passes (38 walks in those 51 1/3 innings last season), so there is still a lot of development to be done before he truly harnesses his outstanding pitch arsenal.

Like with last year, Montes de Oca will be a candidate for depth in a major league bullpen that has experienced immense turnover this offseason. The Mets have essentially signed an entirely new staff of relievers for the 2023 season and they may not be done with addressing that part of the roster, but a team can never plan too much for injuries and Montes de Oca will likely have to make a few appearances over the course of the year.

Bryce Montes de Oca, Photo by Rick Nelson

Ronny Mauricio

The youngest player by far on this list and thus the one with the longest shot to make the majors in 2023, Ronny Mauricio is just as enigmatic as ever. The 21-year-old slugger has shown flashes of absolute brilliance since signing with the Mets as an international free agent in 2017, but with those highs have also come some pretty severe lows.

Mauricio’s first two years of professional ball were not all that impressive, but he followed that up with a strong 2021 season (20 HR, .745 OPS) and an even stronger 2022 season (26 HR, .767 OPS). He then went to the Dominican Summer League and won the MVP award for the regular season, helping his team reach the postseason yet struggling mightily once they were there.

Mauricio has some pretty obvious barriers to a major league debut in 2023, the most pressing of which is his inability to draw walks. Mauricio strikes out a ton and rarely gets on base via any means other than a hit, an approach that rarely translates to success in the majors. Moreover, Mauricio’s primary position of shortstop is blocked at the major league level by Francisco Lindor, and his defensive skills are not quite up to snuff such that a move to another position would be seamless.

Mauricio will start the 2023 season with Syracuse, and he figures to stay there for the entire year. The only real path to a major league debut this year would be some combination of injuries and prodigious play on the part of Mauricio, and even then the organization might look elsewhere in order to ensure that the young top prospect gets all the time he needs to continue his development.

Eric Orze

The fifth-round selection by the Mets in the 2020 draft, Eric Orze has made impressive strides toward being a legitimate bullpen arm in his two professional seasons. He posted a 3.08 ERA in 2021, making 34 appearances while racking up 67 strikeouts in 49 2/3 innings and making it all the way to Syracuse. He was less effective in 2022 with a 4.83 ERA across 50 1/3 innings, but his strikeout rate and walk rate remained consistent.

Orze has a devastating splitter that helps him get the majority of his strikeouts, and he mixes in a mid-90s fastball and an occasional slider. He is a reliever through and through, with more of a two-pitch repertoire that still works to outstanding effect.

With experience in parts of two seasons already at Triple-A, Orze will use his third year at Syracuse to try to capture the torrid form he showed in 2021. If he is able to do so, he could certainly factor into the Mets’ bullpen plans, both in the immediate and distant future.

Grant Hartwig

Few players can claim to have had an even remotely similar path to a potential major league roster spot as Grant Hartwig. Signing with the Mets as an undrafted free agent in 2021, Hartwig began the 2022 season with St. Lucie but proceeded to work his way through four levels in the organization before finishing the year with Syracuse.

Along the way, Hartwig posted an absurdly low 1.75 ERA and an impressive 1.094 WHIP in 56 2/3 innings, striking out 83 batters and recording 13 saves. His pitch mix is predicated more on deception than overpowering stuff, combining his sinking fastball with a sweeping slider and an occasional changeup to lefties to keep hitters off balance at the plate.

Hartwig stumbled a bit in the Arizona Fall League (10.00 ERA in seven appearances), and it remains to be seen if his pitching style will have any amount of success at fooling major league hitters. Still, Hartwig is entering his age-25 season with a chance at making a few relief appearances in the majors in 2023 despite being passed over by every team in the draft just two years ago.

Dedniel Núñez

It has been a long time coming for Dedniel Núñez, but it appears that he has an outside shot at finally making his major league debut in 2023. Núñez signed with the Mets all the way back in 2016 as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic, and the 26-year-old has endured being selected in the Rule 5 Draft, rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and being returned to the Mets after that rehab period.

Núñez entered the 2022 season with a lot to prove after two full seasons out of action, and he responded with a remarkable campaign, making 26 relief appearances and posting a 3.00 ERA while striking out 49 batters in just 33 innings. Núñez was a starter through the early part of his minor league career, but his overpowering fastball that flirts with 100 mph seems to be a much better fit in the bullpen.

The Mets could try to stretch Núñez out as a starter in the 2023 season, but his destiny appears to be as a relief arm, either as a back-end option or as a long reliever given his previous experience starting games. Regardless, Núñez is perhaps one more injury-free year away from pushing for major league action.

Josh Walker

Josh Walker was a 37^th-round pick by the Mets in the 2017 draft, but his longevity in the organization has not translated to experience. He has pitched in every minor league season since 2017 yet has been severely limited by injuries, making more than 14 appearances in just one of those seasons.

Walker’s best year was undoubtedly his 2021 season, during which he posted a 3.73 ERA across 115 2/3 innings and managed to make 20 starts. Unfortunately, injuries again forced him to take a step back in 2022 (4.91 ERA in 13 appearances, only two starts), and it took an impressive showing in the Arizona Fall League (2.89 ERA in eight appearances) to salvage his season.

Walker stands at 6-foot-6 and makes for an imposing figure on the mound, but he tends to rely more on offspeed pitches to compensate for a low 90s fastball. It is hard to know at this stage if the Mets will attempt to stretch Walker back out into a starter as he was in 2021 or keep him as a reliever as he was in 2022, as he has had at least some success in both roles.

Walker is not the first name the Mets will look to when in need of a spot starter or bullpen help. Nevertheless, the 28-year-old will start the year in Syracuse and could very well find himself on the major league roster for an appearance or two if enough things break his way.

The post Mets Prospects Who Could Make An Appearance in MLB in 2023 appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Whether or not the Mets sign Carlos Correa, it’s worth examining what other options are out there that could help improve the team’s depth at the big-league level.

While the elite free agent hitters (besides Correa) are off the board, there are still some potential useful pieces out there that the Mets could sign to to inexpensive or minor-league deals to battle for a spot with say, Darin Ruf and Danny Mendick for a final roster spot.

Here are some interesting names still available in the free agent market that could help improve the Mets bench or at least give them extra depth in Syracuse in case of injuries if they were to sign for minor-league deals.

Luke Voit (1B/DH)

Luke Voit had an up-and-down last two seasons playing for the Yankees, Padres, and Nationals but he did win the MLB home run crown (albeit in a 60-game season) just three years ago. Voit slugged 22 homers last season in 568 PA for San Diego/Washington and does hit from the right side of the plate, so he could work as a possible platoon option with Daniel Vogelbach.

Tyler Naquin (OF)

After being acquired in a trade with the Reds at the deadline last season, Tyler Naquin filled in as the team’s fourth outfielder down the stretch. In 49 games in New York, Naquin hit only .203 with a .636 OPS. However, he proved capable in the outfield and hit .270 with 19 homers in 2021 for Cincinnati. While there are more interesting options out there, Naquin could be a valuable depth piece that could start the year in Syracuse if he doesn’t get any other significant offers.

Robbie Grossman (OF)

If the Mets want to find a veteran outfielder that fits with their high OBP mantra, Robbie Grossman could be a solid buy-low option. Grossman had a bad year last season with the Tigers and Braves, but he posted a .357 OBP in 2021 while drawing 98 walks. He is also a switch hitter and is capable of playing both corner outfield spots. Grossman could be a solid fill-in option should Mark Canha or Starling Marte get injured.

Tommy Pham (OF)

Another potential fill-in outfield option, Tommy Pham isn’t a high-impact player but can still hit for decent power, run the bases well, and play corner outfield when needed. Pham slashed .236/.312/.374 last season split between the Reds and Red Sox and hit 17 home runs with 63 RBIs.

Jonathan Villar (IF)

Jonathan Villar provided a spark for the 2021 Mets, and while his numbers were far from outstanding, he became a bit of a fan favorite in Queens that season. Unfortunately for Villar, last season for the Cubs and Angels went considerably worse for him, as he managed only a .208/.260./.302 slash line.

Still, Villar is a versatile defender with speed who runs the bases aggressively. He also has pop, as evidenced by his 18 homers for the Mets in 2021.

Jesús Aguilar (1B/DH)

Jesús Aguilar is an eccentric personality that would seemingly fit into the Mets clubhouse, and he has a history as a productive offensive player as well.
Aguilar is a former All-Star who slashed a respectable .261/.329/.459 in 2021 to go along with 22 dingers before his production faded last season, leading to his release from the Marlins. Aguilar is still only 32, and has posted five career seasons with an OPS+ over 100. There are certainly worse options out there if the Mets are looking for depth on their bench from the right side.

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Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

It’s tough to believe there was a worse offensive position for the Mets than catcher last season but there was.

The Mets need to address their pinch-hitting situation before the season begins.

MLB Trade Rumors went through each National League team’s worst position and how they addressed it. The Mets were pinch-hitting where they generated 0.0 bWAR. Even their catchers had 0.1 bWAR.

Now with James McCann off the roster and the addition of Omar Narvaez and more playing time for Francisco Alvarez the Mets should gain a lot more offensive ability from behind the plate.

Last season Mets pinch hitters were abysmal. They slashed .145/.268/.217 with one home run in 98 at-bats. The Mets used a pinch hitter 98 times, and they earned a hit 12 times and walked 14. Gross.

Of course, this is a bit random of a stat but it also speaks to the quality of player they were using in the situation. With the designated hitter in the National League, the value or need of a pinch hitter has vastly decreased but the Mets need to find a way to contribute situationally.

The Mets had 264 pinch-hit at-bats in 2021, a decrease of more than half. They slashed .258/.325/.438 in those appearances.

Manager Buck Showalter was not pushing the right buttons this year nor did the front office provide him with them.

J.D. Davis led the Mets with 13 at-bats, Dominic Smith – who didn’t appear on a major league roster after May – had 12, Mark Canha had 10, and Darin Ruf had eight. Combined they had seven hits. Canha went 0-for-10.

When the pressure was on (calculated by Pinch Hit Leverage Index) the Mets went for Daniel Vogelbach (2.65 PHlev) 0-for-6, Jeff McNeil (3.19 PHlev) 0-for-3, and Smith (1.79 PHlev), 3-for-12.

With the potential addition of Carlos Correa, the Mets could gain an incredible (and probably someone who is too good to be one) bench bat. Eduardo Escobar shifts from the everyday third baseman to a platoon/bench bat while Correa takes third. The Mets could even experiment with him and Canha (despite his struggles at the spot last season) on the bench and create an incredible defensive infield with Luis Guillorme at second and McNeil in left field.

Escobar also gives the Mets something they’ve lacked on their bench. A switch-hitter. Escobar can get comfortable in his role and have the matchup advantage against either-handed reliever.

Escobar has hit lefties better throughout his career (.275/.319/.464) than righties (.245/.303/.423). In pinch-hitting situations last season he was 2-for-2 and is 13-for-56 in his career.

He might not be pinch-hit king Brandon Drury (11-30 with three home runs in 2021) but he’s certainly the best option the Mets presently have on their roster.

Escobar’s contract will force him into the lineup enough and this will likely be his easiest path to at-bats with the durability of those ahead of him not in question.

The Mets have a lot of good pieces and it would be a shame to drop one like Escobar for someone who won’t help you achieve your goal of winning the World Series this year. It’s only a matter of time until someone is injured and you’ll need him then. But for now, let him pinch hit.

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Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

It has been a transcendent offseason for the New York Mets and their bevy of offseason moves have given them the best lineup in baseball, according to MLB.com.

In a Top 10 rankings piece compiled by Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com, the Mets come out top of the pile and have the best lineup in the majors heading into the 2023 season. However, it is important to note that Castrovince has included one major caveat with that ranking. That caveat is the No. 1 ranking spot hinges on whether or not Carlos Correa passes his medical with New York.

However, considering all is well with Correa’s medical, then Castrovince is certainly drinking the Mets Kool-Aid and believes the team will have a lineup to be absolutely feared in 2023. Here’s the projected lineup Castrovince has down for the Mets next year:

1. Brandon Nimmo, CF
2. Carlos Correa, 3B
3. Francisco Lindor, SS
4. Pete Alonso, 1B
5. Jeff McNeil, 2B
6. Starling Marte, RF
7. Daniel Vogelbach, DH
8. Mark Canha, LF
9. Omar Narváez

That is a formidable lineup. Now, it is worth remembering that this lineup could look different come Opening Day. After all, per MMO’s very own Michael Mayer, the front office are still interested in adding another bat to the lineup. That could maybe come in the form of someone who can platoon at the DH spot with Vogelbach.

That is a lot of firepower at manager Buck Showalter‘s disposal. The Mets struggled with power in 2022 – they tied for 15th in the majors in home runs (171) – but the blockbuster addition of Correa certainly addresses that flaw. It is also important to note that phenom catcher Francisco Álvarez – the No. 1 prospect in baseball – could become this team’s everyday catcher at some point in 2023 and he will also provide plenty of pop.

With Nimmo leading off and then Correa, Lindor, Alonso, McNeil and Marte all following on deck, opposing managers are going to be posed with matchup nightmares all season long. Having Vogelbach, Canha and Narváez or Álvarez round out the bottom of the lineup is certainly a luxury a lot of other managers won’t have either.

One thing the Mets struggled with in 2022 was lineup depth. That won’t be a problem next year. After all, following Correa’s addition and the fact he will play third-base, Showalter will have the benefit of using Eduardo Escobar as a switch-hitter off the bench. As already mentioned, Álvarez could be a lethal weapon in a depth role and there’s also prospects Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, who will be nice options to slide in and out of the lineup throughout next year.

Overall, the Mets will boast one of the most dangerous lineups on paper heading into 2023 as long as there are no more glitches with Correa’s medical. If that’s the case, and if everyone stays healthy, this lineup has the potential to absolutely mash, put the ball in play at a high rate and cause a lot of damage. The Mets could be a lot of fun to watch next year.

In terms of the rest of the Top 5, Castrovince has the San Diego Padres listed at No. 2 given their abundance of offensive riches, the reigning World Series champions the Houston Astros in the No. 3 spot, the young core of the Toronto Blue Jays at No. 4, and the St. Louis Cardinals in the No. 5 hole. The Mets’ National League East rivals, the Atlanta Braves, have the sixth best ranked lineup heading into 2023.

To find out who rounds out the Top 10, you can see Anthony Castrovince’s full list by clicking here.

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J.D. Martinez has long been linked with the New York Mets and he is exactly the type of player that could help solve their very real power problem in 2023.

It has been a significant offseason for the Mets who have made a very real statement with their spending. Owner Steve Cohen has flexed his financial might by committing over $300 million on payroll for the 2023 season. That has allowed the front office to re-sign star closer Edwin Diaz and outfielder Brandon Nimmo, as well as add the likes of Justin Verlander, David Robertson, Kodai Senga, José Quintana and Omar Narváez.

However, the Mets don’t appear to be done yet and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic recently reported that Cohen believes his team need to add more offense to their lineup for the 2023 season. Rosenthal mentioned Martinez and former Met Michael Conforto as two names the Mets are currently interested in.

We profiled Martinez as a free agent target earlier this offseason, which you can read here, and we’ve also covered in-depth why the Mets really do need to add more power to their lineup if they are to be serious contenders for the World Series in 2023. Martinez ticks a lot of boxes and could help address what was a fatal flaw in 2022.

The Mets tied for 15th in home runs last year with just 171 and they also finished with the fifth-worst hard-hit rate in MLB at 28.6%, per Fangraphs. Furthermore, this team got basically zero production from their designated hitters in 2022. As a collective group, the DH hit just .218/.314/.371 with 18 home runs and 183 strikeouts. Perhaps more importantly, though, the bats went cold at key points during both the regular season and in the postseason.

You can’t win without the long ball and Martinez has built a career based on taking the cover off the baseball. The slugger has blasted 282 home runs in a 12-year career and he’s excelled as a DH. The veteran also absolutely mashes against lefties with a career .306/.377/.579/.957 slash line against LHP, to go along with 87 home runs, 95 doubles and 270 RBI. The Mets could either look to use Martinez as part of a platoon at DH with Daniel Vogelbach, who hits well against righties, or look to trade Vogelbach for outfield help and use Martinez as an everyday designated hitter.

Martinez was an All-Star every year he was with the Boston Red Sox, except for 2020 when there was no Midsummer Classic. He made the All-Star Game in 2022 after hitting .302/.368/.481/.849 with 30 doubles, nine homers and 38 RBI during the first-half of the season. Now, granted, the righty did regress slightly in the second-half of the season with a .233/.301/.400/.701 slash line and seven home runs and 24 RBI.

However, despite his sudden decrease in power in 2022 with just 16 home runs in total, Martinez still finished as one of the best designated hitters in baseball in 2022 having ranked 10th in wRC+ (119) among DH’s with a minimum of 400 PA in 2022. Plus, he also hit 28 homers as recently as 2021 so that suggests that the power didn’t just disappear overnight. Instead, Martinez could just benefit from a change of scenery and his game may be revitalized by having the chance to compete for a World Series with a legit contender.

When looking at Martinez’s potential fit with the Mets, it is also important to point out that the slugger can contribute in other ways too. Rather than just being a one-trick pony, Martinez boasts a career .352 on-base percentage and can also put the ball in play and get on base at a high-rate. He had an on-base percentage of .341 in 2022, including a .368 OBP during the first-half of the season, and he sneakily ripped a career-high 43 doubles last year. That is a player who can impact the game in a multitude of different ways.

According to Spotrac.com. Martinez is projected to land a two-year deal with an average annual salary of $15.1 million. It may be that the Mets could get the veteran to sign a one-year deal with a slightly lower average annual salary and an option for 2024 in return for the opportunity to compete for a championship next year. But, be it a one or two-year contract, it would be a low-risk, high-reward kind of deal for both parties.

It can’t be stressed enough that the Mets need to address their lack of power this offseason or risk falling short in 2023, which would represent a major failure given their spending spree this winter. While Martinez is just one player, he can hit for power, he’ll add a big bat to the middle of the lineup and there’s no reason why he can’t hit between 25-30 home runs. Plus, he can also get on base at a high-rate, he’ll hit doubles for fun and he can either be the everyday DH or be part of a platoon with Vogelbach. No matter which way you look at it, Martinez would address a very real need for this team while also being able to bring other skillsets to the table.

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